Brown's Big Visit

Dudley E. Dawson

04/08/2008

In his weekly recruiting column, Dudley E. Dawson chats with former Vanderbilt and current juco power forward JeJuan Brown (6-7, 232), who is taking an official visit to Arkansas this weekend.
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Once upon a time JeJuan Brown was a promising young player in the SEC.

After this weekend, the current Los Angeles junior college standout could be once again.

Brown (6-7, 232), who was a top 100 player nationally out of Biloxi (MS) High, will take an official visit to the University of Arkansas beginning on Friday.

"I am really looking forward to getting down there and checking out everything and having a chance to get back playing again in the SEC," Brown said. "I am really impressed with the Arkansas coaching staff and where their program is headed and I think it could be a great fit for me."

He averaged 3.1 points while playing in all 34 games and averaging 13 minutes per game.

and then transferred to Los Angeles Southwest Community College.

Brown landed in Los Angeles on the advice of his friend and current USC star O.J. Mayo, who grew up with him in Huntingon, W.V.

"We didn't get to see each other a lot because he was doing his thing and I was doing mine," Brown said. "LA was quite a change from Biloxi and Nashville. I am a small town guy – my teammates out here all call me country boy – and this is just like the Hollywood you hear about. It's okay, but I am ready to get back down for the southern hospitality."

He averaged 16 points and 8 rebounds this season for a 23-9 Cougars squad while playing the second semester there after leaving Vanderbilt during the first semester for personal reasons.

"I think I have come out here and grown up a lot," Brown said. "Vanderbilt is a great school, but I just really didn't feel like it was the right fit for me. I left on good terms and I think there are great people there, but sometimes it's just not a fit."

Brown would certainly fill a role for the Razorbacks, who are looking for an older, rugged inside player to help soften the blow of losing four seniors that played inside.

"They have made it very clear to me that I am the type of player that they are looking for," Brown said. "My game is about being about to get a lot of things done down low, but also being able to face up and make shots and even knock down some 3-pointers if the match-up presents itself.

"I played the 5 this season because I was the biggest guy out here," Brown added, "but I consider myself – and I think Arkansas does to – as a four with some skills that can step out."

Brown has already taken trips to Marshall and Fresno State and was earlier interest in Cal-State Fullerton.

"Really it's just down to two schools – Arkansas and Marshall," Brown said. "If I get down to Arkansas and it is what I think it is, that is where I will end up."

Brown watched Arkansas on TV several times this season and came away impressed with the team and Razorback head coach John Pelphrey.

"I really liked there style of play, trying to get up and down the floor and being very tough defensively and being very aggressive," Brown said.

"I also just love the way Coach Pelphrey just pushes his players hard," Brown continued. "He has a lot of passion and for a coach to come in there his first year, get them to the tournament again and have the success they did says a lot about him. That's the kind of guy I want to play for."